Gray attended Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, California,[1] the football standout was also a track and field star.
He accepted a scholarship to the University of Missouri and became a football and track and field star.
Gray was an All-American sprinter and was a Grand Slam winner in the 100-meter dash in 1970, capturing titles at the Texas, Kansas, and Drake relays.
He held the school record for career receiving yards (1,491) for 20 years and was named to the Mizzou All-Century Team in 1990.
In the 1971 NFL draft, Gray was a sixth-round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals and was selected to four straight Pro Bowls (1974–1977).